BILT Has Built the Most Versatile Credit Rewards Program: The Challenge Is Earning Enough Points to Put It To Good Use

There might be an allure to so-called “premium credit cards”, but maybe one of the best additions to your wallet is one that’s free.

Obviously, there’s a catch: Bilt is increasingly a stand-out in the points ecosystem for its flexibility and optionality — and not just because you’re getting a fee-free 1% points back on your rent, HOA fees, or mortgage.

Instead, the sheer amount of versatility is what’s making this lesser-considered points program even more attractive. At least for the moment, it might be worth your attention.

Building up: We’ve written at length before about why allegiance to an airline partner or even premium-oriented rewards programs like Amex’s Membership Rewards can be a bit of an empty pursuit, as you might not know how to spend them or you might end up like some U.S. Bank cardholders did, needing to jump through new hoops to get your “points.” However, arguably the biggest problem with card programs — including even ones like Chase’s Ultimate Rewards and Capital One points, which allow you to cash out — is choice. In this regard, Bilt is really punching above its weight for a $0 annual fee card program.

• Bilt boasts 1:1 transfer options to more travel partners than any major creditor — including hard-to-find windows for high-value partners Alaska Airlines and Hyatt.
• Despite offering a relatively boring 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on everything else (except on Rent Day), there are still plenty of ways to earn Bilt points.

Bilt-ing A Strategy

The problem with Bilt is that earning points can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a big rent check. However, even if Bilt might not make the most sense as a primary spending card, there are strategic ways to use it in addition to rent or mortgage points back:

• Focus on Rent Day: On the first of every month, earnings on the card are doubled — up to 1K bonus points — concentrate dining or travel spend on this day.
• Rakuten as an earning option: Multiply your shopping cash back on Rakuten by sending the points to Bilt, rather than Amex.
• Neighborhood Dining multiplier: Some restaurants in Bilt’s Neighborhood Dining program earn much more than 3x points — think 6-8x points.
• Alaska EQM hacker: Instead of 1% cash back on rent, earn 3x points on Alaska when paying with the airline’s card, plus earn points towards status (a fee will apply).
• Take advantage of transfer bonuses: The company’s monthly transfer bonuses offer cardholders, especially spendthrifts, bonus redemptions — recent bonuses include Etihad, Virgin, and Accor.

Change on the horizon: Bilt is not typically mentioned in the credit conversation, mostly because there are no flashy sign-up bonuses (SUBs), and there are big questions about its future as it leaves Wells Fargo. With more transfer options on the horizon and new cards with higher annual fees, there could be a revisiting of the value conversation. But for now, Bilt is a sweet spot for those who don’t want to pay for an annual fee card, want to get free cashback on housing payments, and are willing to settle for ‘good enough’ earnings on everything else.